Panini “Per Tutti”

     Many operators have given up on their Panini program because the machines don’t heat properly and they are just too hard to clean. Cadco has solved these problems and we’ll talk about those solutions later.
     First, let’s have a little background on the “Panini”. The word Panini is Italian and translates to mean rolls or little breads. If you order a Panino in Italy you will get a sandwich. Just as in the U.S. a sandwich can be anything you are able to imagine, and fit between slices of bread. In all likelihood, the Romans enjoyed their equivalent of what we now call a “Panini” sandwich years ago. I’ll bet they were fantastic with the sweet olive oil and seasonings available at the time.
     We generally think of a Panini as being a hot sandwich. The clamshell grill used to make these Panini sandwiches is heated from the top and bottom for faster and more even heating. The American consumer likes to see grill marks on their Panini, so most Panini grills have at least one ribbed grill surface. Many of the European Panini grills you will see are flat. The flat grill surface allows more versatility and allows such items as eggs and crepes to be prepared.
     You’ll see that the Cadco Panini Grills offer operators the best of both worlds. We offer 4 versions, in response to operator requests for specific applications. Models CPG-10 and CPG-20 have a flat grill surface on the bottom and a ribbed grill surface on the top, for appetizing grill marks on the food. These 2 models are great for hot Panini sandwiches such as ham & cheese, tuna melt, subs, wraps, and bagels, as well as for grilling burgers, steaks, chicken breasts, hot dogs, and more. Models CPG-10F and CPG-20F have flat grill surfaces on both top and bottom. These are excellent for Cuban sandwiches.

     Customers like Paninis because of the variety and elegance they offer, as well as their “grab and go” convenience. Operators like Paninis because they are quick, usually about 4 – 7 minutes per sandwich, and they are profitable. Paninis can have any cheese, meat, vegetables in them that you can imagine. Last night’s special can be turned into today’s “Panini Lunch Per Tutti”. How about serving a “Hot Chicken Salad Panini on Sun dried Tomato and Black Olive” bread. You can make “Hot and Cold” combination sandwiches by having the meats and cheeses closest to the cooking surface and the vegetables deep inside, keeping them cool and crisp.
     You have to decide what bread you are going to use first.
     The new par baked breads are spectacular and in most cases, more imaginative and cost effective than you can bake from scratch. The par baked bread programs we see today are exactly where coffee was 20 years ago. Stand back! Par baked bread programs are taking off like a rocket!
     These breads are designed to go from the freezer to the table in 10 to 15 minutes so waste is all but eliminated. The labor for par baked product is minimal especially when you compare it to the cost of baking bread from scratch.
     Par baked breads provide the operator with a vast array of colors, shapes and flavor combinations.
     The Cadco Panini Grills with the New Glass-Ceramic Cooking surface can help you produce the most eye appealing and flavorful sandwiches in your market area. The Cadco Panini Grills cook with 80% “Infrared” and 20% “Conduction” heat to assure you quick, evenly heated, perfect sandwiches no matter what you use for fillings. This new technology is far superior to the old style “cast” grilling surfaces which use only conduction to cook.
     The biggest problem in the past has been keeping the Panini grill clean. If it’s not easily cleaned it will never be clean, it’s just that simple. The Cadco Panini Grills clean with a quick wipe of a damp paper towel. Burned on cheese or meat juice will come off easily with the brass scrubber, or the scraper that Cadco includes with each machine. All a Cadco Panini Grill really needs to keep it clean, is a quick wipe between sandwiches and a little ceramic stove top cleaner at the end of the night. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

     Give me a call or send an e-mail to find out how easy a Cadco Panini program can be. 

Good Food and Good Health,

Loren Lippitt C.E.C.
Executive Chef-